For years, my wife and I would send out a Holiday Mix CD in December. Towards the end of our run, when the entire form became obsolete, we somehow happened on Diana Krall, who I’d figured must be great back when she caught the eye and heart of Elvis Costello, her husband for a good decade or more now. Little did I know that Diana Krall has sold more albums than any other female jazz artist in the last 30 years. The pianist and vocalist comes from the old school of interpreters.
This Sunday, October 13, Krall plays the Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) in Kingston (where hubby Elvis C. will be performing soon as well). Krall issued her latest album, Glad Rag Doll, featuring obscure jazz cover songs in settings produced by T-Bone Burnett and including appearances by Marc Ribot and others known for their work with Costello, Tom Waits and other cutting-edge songsmiths, last year. But her concerts, where she demonstrates her considerable chops as a pianist as well as a scintillating contralto, feature original works as well. And believe me, she’s quite the tunesmith.
Diana Krall, Sunday, October 13, 7 p.m., $89/$74/$69, UPAC, 601 Broadway, Kingston; (845) 473-2072, (845) 339-6088, www.bardavon.org.